HPU News for May 2011

HPU News

HPU Students Participate in National Model United Nations Conference

May 10, 2011

For the fourth year in a row, the United Nations Club of HPU sent a delegation of students to participate in the National Model United Nations Conference (NMUN) in New York, April 17-21. Accompanied by Political Science Professor Carlos Juarez, this year’s HPU delegation was the largest ever, with 12 students led by Megan Jensen, a sophomore majoring in Political Science.

The conference takes place every year to simulate the sessions of UN’s various committees to address the issues on the annual UN agenda and conclude resolutions for programs of action for each. This year, HPU’s delegation represented Slovenia and prepared for the conference throughout the spring semester by researching issues such as international security and disarmament, sustainable development, human trafficking, population planning, and intellectual property.

“Working with so many other dedicated and driven students at the conference has deeply motivated me to pursue my goals to work in this field,” Jensen said.

Michael Bennett said, “Participating in the conference was rewarding and helped me to gain a better understanding of the interaction between countries.” He also said the closing ceremony in the Great Hall of the United Nations was a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Besides the ceremony at the United Nations, the Permanent Mission to the UN of Slovenia hosted HPU’s delegation. The mission staff briefed the HPU delegation on Slovenia’s position on international issues. Universities at the conference represented more than 150 countries, which is the largest conference of its kind. The conference gives students from around the world the opportunity to hone their skills as future diplomats.

For more information about the UN Club, please contact the club’s faculty advisor, Professor Grace Cheng, at gcheng@hpu.edu. To learn more about the conference, go to www.nmun.org.

"Hawai'i Pacific University is a not-for-profit international learning community set in the rich cultural context of Hawai'i. Students from around the world join us for an American education built on a liberal arts foundation. Our innovative undergraduate and graduate programs anticipate the changing needs of the community and prepare our graduates to live, work, and learn as active members of a global society."